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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
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This was the first book by Henning Mankell I read, or actually listened to. I know it was a little weird to start in the middle of the Wallander series, but still I enjoyed it a lot since it was during the time the Scandinavian detective books were hugely popular in the Netherlands and I also read a lot of them.
I was intrigued by the story, but since it was my first encounter with the characters, I at first missed some of the important things that are going on in this book. However, it was more than enough to follow the story of this particular case, which was intriguing.
It's been a while, but one of the things that I still remember most vividly is the slow pace of the narrator which I didn't particularly liked.
NB: I listened to a Dutch audiobook
This was the first book by Henning Mankell I read, or actually listened to. I know it was a little weird to start in the middle of the Wallander series, but still I enjoyed it a lot since it was during the time the Scandinavian detective books were hugely popular in the Netherlands and I also read a lot of them.
I was intrigued by the story, but since it was my first encounter with the characters, I at first missed some of the important things that are going on in this book. However, it was more than enough to follow the story of this particular case, which was intriguing.
It's been a while, but one of the things that I still remember most vividly is the slow pace of the narrator which I didn't particularly liked.
NB: I listened to a Dutch audiobook
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found some of the representation of queerness to be problematic but this is from the late 90s so maybe that’s why it didn’t fit right with me? I liked how the story moved but about 2/3 of the way through I got a sinking feeling about the twist ending re: the woman who just looked a bit “off” and turned out to be trans and also the murderer who was having a secret affair with a policeman. I turned out to be right and was disappointed in the way folks were portrayed as outsiders and a madman who could “never fit in”
An entertaining police procedural -- not really a thriller, though it had some exciting portions. It is more a story of how a murder investigation might proceed. I liked the main detective, Wallander (this is the first in the series I have read, and felt like I learned enough about Wallander to like him). I was intrigued by the detail offered in this story. The trips to the restroom for instance. Many books just gloss over the fact that their characters have natural needs...this book mentions the need to eat, sleep and use the restroom.
One Step Behind by Henning Mankell is a brilliant police procedural. This was my first experience with the series featuring Inspector Kurt Wallander. I hadn't even heard of it until a friend recommended the series to me. Set in Sweden, this installment follows Wallander as he tries to make sense of a killer who has shot three teenagers who had dressed in 18th C costumes in celebration of Midsummer's Eve. As more victims are claimed by the killer, Wallander has to decide if he is dealing with a madman or a madman with a plan. Is the killer purposely looking for victims in "costume?" Or does he just have a problem with people who are happy? And how has the killer found out so many secret details about his victims? The case is complicated by several things...the killer is clever and covers his tracks well; he always seems to be at least one step ahead; he has added one of Wallander's colleagues to the mounting list of bodies. Added to that Wallender is fighting his own private demons--the death of his father and his own deteriorating health.
This was an incredible police procedural. Wallander is a flawed hero--certainly not the perfect, super policeman who always gets his man and never makes mistakes. He is believable and learns from his mistakes. We get a good look at the everyday workings of a murder investigation without being overwhelmed or bored to tears with details. Henning offers up interesting characters that I want to read more about. The ending seemed a bit contrived, but other than that I was enthralled. I stayed up way later than I should have last night because I absolutely had to finish the book. It was worth every minute of lost sleep! Recommended for mystery lovers, those who like police procedurals, those who like books from other countries, and those who just like good writing. Four stars out of five.
This was an incredible police procedural. Wallander is a flawed hero--certainly not the perfect, super policeman who always gets his man and never makes mistakes. He is believable and learns from his mistakes. We get a good look at the everyday workings of a murder investigation without being overwhelmed or bored to tears with details. Henning offers up interesting characters that I want to read more about. The ending seemed a bit contrived, but other than that I was enthralled. I stayed up way later than I should have last night because I absolutely had to finish the book. It was worth every minute of lost sleep! Recommended for mystery lovers, those who like police procedurals, those who like books from other countries, and those who just like good writing. Four stars out of five.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Het zevende avontuur van de onovertroffen inspecteur Wallander Drie jonge mensen zijn verdwenen na het Midzomernachtsfeest. Er komt weliswaar een ansichtkaart uit Hamburg, maar vermoedelijk hebben ze die niet zelf gestuurd. Als Kurt Wallander de kwestie wil bespreken met zijn collega Svedberg, blijkt deze te zijn vermoord. Hij ontdekt dat Svedberg in het bezit was van een foto van de drie verdwenen jongeren en op eigen houtje al gesproken heeft met hun ouders.
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Another winner! Toward the end I had to break from normal life routines to steal time to read. I had to know.................